BATAAN MAYORS FOR
NUCLEAR PLANT, CONVERSION
Iligan City, Sept. 20, 1997 -- The Bataan Mayors' League is in full support of plans to convert the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant into a non-nuclear power facility. Bataan Governor Leonardo Roman says the mayors are aware that such a re-activation of the plant will accelerate the economic growth of the province and the entire Central Luzon.
President Ramos has been asked to approve the conversion of the 620-megawatt nuclear plant into a 1,500-megawatt facility using low-sulphur fuel oil.
The demand for power by Bataan industries, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and Clark Special Economic Zone is projected to reach 3,000 megawatts by the year 2010.
The Bataan Power Plant Consortium has submitted to President Ramos a preliminary proposal for purchase and conversion of the plant, which they intend to upgrade to 3,000 megawatts once natural gas from the Palawan reserves become available.
President Corazon Aquino decided to close the plant and the government has been paying more than P1-billion annually in interest charges as well as legal and maintenance expenses. Those charges have increased in peso terms because of the depreciation of the Philippine currency.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 1997
All rights reserved